Naruto：Immortality and the Eight Inner Gates[Double agent]

"Rie... raise her yourself, and congratulations, your infiltration was successful!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Rinjin's contorted face shot up, staring at Hiruzen Sarutobi as if he were looking at a madman.

"Heh~ Just say what you want directly, I'll cooperate. No need to insult my intelligence."

Meanwhile, Rinjin held Rie tightly, screaming internally.

Rie, we've succeeded! Your brother finally won't be turned into Rinjin sashimi! I can finally fulfill my promise to your mother, finally let you grow up in the sunlight!

Damn, it's been so hard!

In this battle, facing powerful enemies, with someone backing him, and with his supplies cut off, he had finally turned the tables!

He had impressed Hiruzen Sarutobi with his abilities, moved him with his emotions, and shaken him with his convictions.

Without exaggeration, he had forced this future "Professor of Ninjutsu" to develop an appreciation for talent.

Of course, most importantly, his emotions were absolutely genuine.

Hearing Rinjin's questioning, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly smiled.

"Suspicious kid, you can leave right now. I believe no one will stop you.

Even if you leave the village now, I won't stop you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was certain that Rinjin would never flee from Konoha; in fact, he would sincerely join the Hidden Leaf.

This! This was the confidence of a great hero!

Hearing this, Rinjin fell silent.

After a long while, holding the crying and unconscious Rie, Rinjin slowly stood up and said in a hoarse voice:

"I... I know what to do!"

With that, he carried Rie and staggered toward the exit.

Just as Rinjin pushed open the door and was about to step out of the room, Hiruzen's voice suddenly rang out again.

"By the way, I'm personally curious about how you killed four ninja, including the jonin Onoton.

Of course, you can choose not to answer this question."

Hehe, do I really have a choice?! Fuck.

While internally cursing, Rinjin's expression remained unchanged as he decisively chose to reveal part of his trump card.

Extending his hand, chakra slowly flowed through his meridians.

Instantly, a kunai flew out from his chest with a 'whoosh'.

Seeing this, Hiruzen's pupils contracted, and he was immediately overjoyed.

He knew that *Magnet Release* was a unique jutsu and bloodline limit of Sunagakure in the Land of Wind, but he wasn't worried.

Because Rinjin hadn't concealed or hidden his chakra nature, which precisely showed that he was now completely open with Konoha!

"*Magnet Release*, this is my chakra nature.

I know you might think I'm from Sunagakure, and you might suspect I'm their spy planted in Amegakure.

It doesn't matter anymore. You can have those ninja outside watch me twenty-four hours a day, no need to hide."

Rinjin no longer concealed his mature inner self. He reached out to grasp the flying kunai in the air, bent down, and placed it on the ground; then, carrying Rie, he strode away without looking back.

In the spacious and bright Hokage's office, Tobirama Senju, over forty but still incredibly handsome, stood before the huge floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the distant streets.

Behind him, Hiruzen Sarutobi was seriously reporting the process of interrogating Rinjin, detailing every action, expression, and word, without mixing in any of his own opinions.

Soon after the report was complete, Hiruzen Sarutobi confidently looked at Tobirama Senju's back, waiting for his teacher's questions.

Sure enough, after hearing Sarutobi's report, the Second Hokage slowly turned around and asked expressionlessly.

"Monkey, what's your opinion?"

Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi perked up and said:

"Teacher, my assessment of Rinjin is that he possesses wisdom far beyond his peers and even adults, values bonds deeply, and is willing to sacrifice his life for acknowledged comrades. My conclusion is that we can assimilate him into the village through our atmosphere and Will of Fire!"

"Reasons?" Tobirama Senju asked concisely.

It seemed like a redundant question, as Hiruzen Sarutobi had already explained his reasons.

But he knew that when his teacher asked for 'reasons,' it was on a deeper level, asking: 'How to ensure his loyalty?'

Thinking of this, Hiruzen Sarutobi responded without hesitation:

"That girl named Rie, and the deceased Mizuguma!"

Tobirama nodded at Monkey's answer.

"Monkey, you've improved, very good."

"However, regarding Rinjin, while we don't need to worry about his loyalty, we also shouldn't entrust him with important tasks."

"Teacher, why?" Hearing his teacher's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately asked, as he had wanted to take Rinjin as his disciple!

Instead of answering Hiruzen's question, Tobirama asked him one instead.

"Monkey, have you considered this possibility; what if Rinjin came to join Konoha intentionally?"

"What?" Hiruzen exclaimed again.

Tobirama didn't continue testing his beloved student and began speaking on his own.

"Rinjin might have planned from the beginning to use this opportunity to leave Amegakure;

This can be seen from how he arranged things with his teacher Mizuguma. He understood his teacher very well, and also understood Hanzō of the Salamander.

I believe if he could, he would have definitely escaped with his teacher.

Unfortunately, Mizuguma was raised by Hanzō of the Salamander, and while they had ideological conflicts, defection was almost impossible.

So he arranged for his single teacher to marry, creating bonds to give his teacher more to consider.

This also perfectly explains why he later acted against fellow village ninja.

First, he truly couldn't tolerate such behavior; second, he was confident no one would escape; third, he didn't care about the village.

This is also why he unhesitatingly told you about killing Amegakure ninja.

He was conveying a message to you that he didn't care about Amegakure, he only cared about Mizuguma.

He chose Konoha, not you choosing him!"

After speaking, he glanced at the dumbfounded Hiruzen Sarutobi and pulled out a scroll from the drawer, placing it on the desk.

"Take a look."

Hiruzen Sarutobi snapped back to attention and quickly picked up the scroll, scanning it rapidly.

"A cursed seal?! Found on the tongue of the youth who died in the Land of Hot Water?!" Hiruzen exclaimed.

"The research team has studied it. It's a trigger-type seal that destroys the entire brain when triggered by any information about Amegakure.

He shared so much information about Amegakure, did you see him die?

Or did you see any seal on his tongue?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head dumbly.

"This guy had already prepared a way to remove the seal, or perhaps, he had been preparing to leave Amegakure all along!"

After speaking, Tobirama Senju slowly sighed, a flash of wariness appearing in the depths of his eyes.

It wasn't wariness of strength, but of intelligence.

Rinjin, despite being an Amegakure spy whose identity had been exposed, had managed through strategy and skill to make both him and Hiruzen Sarutobi lose their killing intent towards him, allowing him to settle in Konoha.

Through various actions, he had packaged himself as non-threatening, using an almost honest attitude to wear down their guard against him.

Rinjin, a spy, a village deserter, yet made Tobirama Senju believe he would absolutely not transmit Konoha's information outside, nor would he desert Konoha - it was simply extraordinary!

This level of cunning and wisdom, Tobirama Senju had never seen from the Warring States period until now.

Perhaps Madara Uchiha and his brother Hashirama Senju had world-destroying power, but in terms of this kind of strategic vision, this ability to observe the big picture and manipulate hearts, they weren't worthy to tie Rinjin's shoes.

"No need for surveillance. This type of person knows better than anyone what he should do. Since he has chosen Konoha, just let him live quietly in Konoha."

As he spoke, Tobirama Senju's tone suddenly became extremely serious.

"But! Monkey, remember this well! Never let him enter Konoha's upper echelons!"

After speaking, Tobirama Senju sighed internally and silently added: If you let him into the upper echelons, none of you would be able to outmaneuver him.

...

On a street not far from the Hokage Tower, Rinjin carried Rie, moving forward somewhat lazily.

To fully convey his intentions to Konoha's leadership, to protect Rie, to preserve Mizuguma's legacy, to become a legitimate double agent, he had truly exhausted himself today.

To achieve these goals, Rinjin had prepared three plans.

The first: an imperfect fake background, this was for idiots.

The second: the tragic genius youth with bonds; this was for those with some brains.

The third: a harmless but better-not-to-provoke slacker; this was for true intellectuals.

Actually, Rinjin had prepared a fourth plan specifically for someone: the pure-hearted Rinjin; unfortunately, that person was dead.

After envisioning a beautiful future, Rinjin was suddenly full of motivation.

Soon, they arrived at their destination.

Before Rinjin was a ninja tool shop located in a remote area.

The sign read "Katō Ninja Tools Shop."

According to Nihongi, this shop was owned by his brother, and he could find employment here.

Carrying Rie, Rinjin entered the ninja tool shop.

"Excuse me." After apologizing, Rinjin lifted the curtain printed with 'Warm Tools' and walked inside.

As evening approached, a man who looked seventy percent like Mr. Katō was dozing behind the counter.

"Excuse me!" Rinjin called out.

The sudden voice startled the beer-bellied man awake.

"Ah! Welcome to Katō Ninja Tools Shop, please feel free to browse."

The man habitually recited the welcome greeting, rubbing his sleepy eyes as he walked out from behind the counter.

"Oh? How come it's two children!

Little ones, did your parents send you on an errand?" the chubby man asked kindly.

Rinjin shook his head.

"Then are you here to buy training equipment for yourselves?"

Rinjin shook his head again.

"Then what exactly do you want to do?"

"I'm a blacksmith, I can forge ninja tools."

Hearing this, the chubby man burst out laughing, gesturing at Rinjin's height.

"Kid, you want to be a blacksmith? Can you even lift a hammer?"

"Sigh!" Rinjin let out an exasperated sigh.

"No wonder your father said you lack discernment, letting you mind the store at home;

With your skills, you'd definitely lose even your loincloth if you went out to do business."

Rinjin's words seemed to hit a sore spot, and the chubby man suddenly jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"You little brat, who are you saying would lose..."

Before he could finish, Rinjin casually pinched the corner of the counter, and with a soft 'crack', the solid wood corner was broken off.

The chubby man's face quickly turned red.

"You little punk! My precious juniper wood counter! This cost me 100,000 ryo at auction! Oh, the horror!"

Watching the chubby man rolling on the ground like a child, Rinjin was suddenly stunned.

100,000 ryo? Juniper? Wood Release?

*Wood Release: Juniper Descent*? No, no, no! This is clearly *Wood Release: Money Falling from Heaven Technique*.

My goodness! I've found another path to riches!

Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Rinjin stared intently at the man before him. His first job in Konoha would fall to this man!

Thinking of this, Rinjin hesitated no longer and directly stated his purpose.

"Mr. Katō, I'm a blacksmith recommended by your father, Noriya Katō."

Hearing Rinjin's words, the chubby man stopped rolling around and slowly got up, dusting himself off while muttering to himself.

The old man's recommendation! Hmm, the old man's eye for people has always been good, this little rascal must have some skills. Well, let's test his abilities first!

With this thought, the chubby man cleared his throat.

"Ahem... I am Ippongi Katō, the owner of this Katō Ninja Tools Shop."

... Ippongi, your brother is called Nihongi, Mr. Noriya Katō, you really were casual in naming your sons!

While internally rolling his eyes, Rinjin's expression remained unchanged as he bowed slightly with Rie.

"Rinjin Shōhō, and this is my sister, Rie Shōhō. Please take care of us."

Ippongi nodded, his expression becoming more serious as he quickly walked behind the counter.

"Rinjin-kun, since you were recommended by my father, I naturally trust your character, but this is a ninja tool shop. We have very high standards for selecting iron, forging techniques, tempering, product appearance, and hardness.

After all, we're selling weapons, tools for saving lives and taking lives, so the quality requirements are very high."

After hearing Ippongi's words, Rinjin nodded slightly, knowing he wanted to test his professional abilities. He smiled inwardly.

You speak of all these things, and I don't understand a single one, but it doesn't matter. I have *Magnet Release* and strength, these aren't problems for me.

After thinking for a moment, Rinjin took out a palm-sized silver senbon from his pocket and placed it on the counter.

"Mr. Ippongi, this is one I forged myself. Please take a look."

Seeing that the product was a senbon, Ippongi was immediately delighted.

Among ninja tools, senbon were one of the best for showcasing a blacksmith's forging details.

Senbon themselves were very common ninja tools, loved by many ninja for their speed, silence, and concealment, alongside shuriken and kunai as the three most commonly used ninja tools.

Forging shuriken required superb balancing skills; kunai needed constant hammering to remove impurities from the iron blank, testing strength and patience; as for senbon, they were all about the details.

After all, a palm-sized senbon not only had to be straight and smooth, but also had to have its tip sharpened to be incredibly sharp, able to penetrate anything. At the same time, there were great demands on the material of the senbon itself, at least the tip had to be hard while the overall structure needed to be flexible.

Feeling every detail of this shiny silver senbon, Ippongi then casually stabbed it into the counter surface.

With a flash of silver, the senbon sank in to its base, leaving only a fingernail's length exposed.

Mind you, this was a solid wood countertop over five centimeters thick!

Ippongi's smile grew wider and wider.

My goodness, does the old man love me this much?! Introducing such a skilled blacksmith to me?!

My little shop is saved!

Thinking of this, Ippongi suddenly raised both hands, forcefully patted his cheeks, and squeezed out an oily smile.

"Ahem... Well... Little brother Rinjin, I wonder, how much salary are you expecting?"

As long as it's not over 30,000 ryo, anything is negotiable! Ippongi muttered to himself.

Rinjin didn't know that Ippongi held him in such high regard, but even if he did, he had no intention of accepting a salary.

In this life, working for others was out of the question. He could only resort to some tricks to make money off others' efforts.

"Mr. Ippongi, I don't want a salary," Rinjin said.

Hearing this, Ippongi was taken aback. His gaze fixed on the two children behind the counter, his mind racing.

Could it be that these two children just arrived in Konoha?

That's right, Father had been traveling all over with Nihongi. Now, with the war going on, could these two kids be refugees?

Refugees, homeless, without any relatives here, this...

"Ahem... That's great then. We have a spare room at home. You can stay there for a while," Ippongi offered eagerly.

Seeing Ippongi's earnest expression, Rinjin's face remained unchanged, his tone nonchalant as he said:

"Ippongi, you might have misunderstood my meaning. What I'm saying is, I don't want a salary. I only accept partnerships."